Weekly Toll: Lots of Tragedy This Week

3 Amarillo men die when detached trailer crashes into road workers

Amarillo, TX — Three Amarillo men died and two other people were injured Saturday morning when a trailer being towed on eastbound Interstate 40 came loose from the back of a pickup and crashed into a road paving machine and its crew. J. Lee Milligan employees Ygnacio Rodriquez, 59, Jorge Noe Catano, 36, and Julian Zamora, 63, were pronounced dead at the scene on eastbound I-40 just east of Whitaker Road, according to the Amarillo Police Department.

Man dies after being found in refrigerated trailer Friday in Woodland

WOODLAND, WA — Sheriff’s detectives are investigating the death of an employee of a Woodland meat company who was found unconscious in a refrigerated trailer Friday night.The employee was pronounced dead later in the evening at Southwest Washington Medical Center. Another worker for Walt’s Wholesale Meats, at 350 S. Pekin Road, found the fellow employee, who had been alone in the trailer about three hours, said Cowlitz Sheriff’s Sgt. Corey Huffine.

Contract worker dies in fall at gin

Lamesa, TX — A Lamesa man was killed in a fall from the top of Ten Mile Gin just before 12 noon Friday, according to information from the Dawson County Sheriff Office. Juan Molina, 28, was pronounced dead at the scene by Assistant Justice of the Peace Vickie Lanham, head clerk at the Dawson County Justice of the Peace Office. Molina was an employee of a contractor who was doing some work on the gin, Chief Deputy Josh Peterson said on Friday. Molina reportedly had been working on top of the gin. “We’re not exactly sure of all the details at this time,” Peterson said, “but we do know that he fell an estimated 35 feet to the ground, hitting some stuff on the way down.”

64-Year-Old Man Killed In On-The-Job Accident In Pontiac

DETROIT, MI – An investigation is underway after a 64-year-old Warren man died in an accident on the job in Pontiac.According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s office, witnesses reported the victim had been working on repairs to the back end of a large truck, at Waste Management in 200 block of E. Walton Blvd., when coworkers found him with an axle lying across his midsection.

BRISTOL, Va. — A man is dead after a tree trimming accident in Bristol, Virginia. The accident happened shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday on Memphis Lane, which is in the Ketron community, according to Washington County, Virginia, Sheriff Fred Newman. The victim, Thomas Gibson, 51, of New Tazewell, Tennessee, was climbing a tree and cutting the top portion of it when the tree suddenly snapped, falling back on Gibson and killing him. Gibson was left suspended 40 to 50 feet off the ground after the tree snapped, according to Newman. It’s unclear why Gibson was in the area and what type of tree work he was doing.

PennDOT worker killed in Franklin County

REENE TOWNSHIP, Pa. —State police say a 41-year-old man from Hazleton, Luzerne County, was killed when he was hit by a tractor-trailer, just after 9 p.m. Friday. According to PennDOT, the man was part of a line painting crew, and was setting up cones on Interstate 81, near mile marker 19, in Green Township. Officials say a truck was set up to warn drivers about the roadwork, but PennDOT says the tractor-trailer driver missed that truck, and instead, hit the man who was setting up the cones.

Jacksonville street sweeper killed in accident

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Rescuers say a street sweeper who apparently was trying to clear something from the machine accidentally became entangled in it and was killed early Saturday. It happened in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant at San Jose Boulevard and Loretta Road in Mandarin.Witnesses reported hearing the man crying for help.

Truck Driver Killed In I-91 Crash

WETHERSFIELD,CT– A dump truck driverwas killed early Friday morning when the truck left Interstate 91 northbound in Wethersfield north of exit 26, went through a guard rail and down a wooded embankment. The truck came to rest in trees and brush. The driver , 36 year old Kevin Lockery of New Britain , had to be extricated from the vehicle and was taken to Hartford Hospital, where he later died.

Firefighter Dies After Collapsing at Blaze in South Suburban Harvey

Harvey, IL — A firefighter died after collapsing at a blaze in south suburban Harvey on Saturday afternoon.Around 1:30 p.m., the Harvey Fire Department responded to a report of multiple mobile homes on fire near W. 150th St. and Rockwell Ave., according to Harvey police spokesman Sean Howard.The Harvey Fire Department then called for backup from the neighboring Dolton Fire Department, Howard said. Dolton firefighter Lawrence Matthews was on the sidewalk at the scene of the fire when he collapsed and became unresponsive, according to officials. Matthews was taken to Ingalls Memorial Hospital where he later died, authorities said. It was not immediately clear if his collapse was related to the fire.

Mo. truck driver killed in I-55/74 crash

BLOOMINGTON, IL — A 43-year-old Hannibal, Mo., man was the semitrailer truck driver killed in a crash Thursday on Interstate 55/74 near the Market Street exit, the McLean County coroner’s office announced Friday. David W. Weekley, who was alone in the truck, was pronounced dead at 1:47 p.m. Thursday at the scene where the northbound truck struck a concrete median wall near mile marker 160 in Bloomington, authorities said.

LIRR worker fatally struck by train in Queens Village

QUEENS VILLAGE, NY: It was a tragic day on the tracks after a Long Island Rail Road worker was hit and killed by a train Saturday morning in Queens. Now investigators are trying to figure out what happened. The LIRR worker was fatally struck just before 10:30 a.m. First responders raced to a section of tracks west of the Queens Village station, however medics could not save him. Officials say the worker died on the scene.

Authorities ID postal worker killed in Marshalltown crash

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — Authorities have identified the postal service worker killed in a Friday morning crash in Marshalltown. Iowa State Patrol troopers said the accident happened around 11:45 a.m. near the Marshall County Courthouse when a driver of a minivan was headed south on North Center Street and ran a red light. The minivan struck a westbound USPS truck on East Church Street, causing the postal truck to roll over on its side. The postal service worker died in the crash, officials said. Authorities identified the driver of the postal truck as 34-year-old Amy Sanders, of Grinnell.

Los Angeles Firefighter Dies from Fall in Training Exercise

Los Angeles, CA — The possibility of injury or even death, although rare, is always present whenever firefighters respond to a call. A fatality during a training exercise is even rarer, but it can happen. Firefighter Kelly Wong, 29, died Monday from injuries suffered in a fall. He fell from an aerial ladder during a weekend training exercise Saturday in downtown Los Angeles, LA Observed reported. “Fellow firefighters and paramedics rendered immediate medical attention and transported him in critical condition to a local trauma center,” the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a statement. “Despite the heroic efforts of doctors and nurses at the hospital, Firefighter Wong succumbed to his injuries early Monday morning.”

OSHA investigating fatality at Elmira moving company

Elmira, NY — The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating a reported fatal workplace accident earlier this week at an Elmira moving company. OSHA’s Syracuse area office was notified Tuesday of a fatality at Dimon & Bacorn in Elmira and began an inspection the same day, according to Ted Fitzgerald, regional director for public affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA’s parent agency. Dimon & Bacorn, founded in the early 1900s, is on Industrial Park Boulevard in Elmira, and handles moving, storage and rigging business.

Fourth Didion Milling employee dies from injuries

CAMBRIA, WI — A fourth employee has died as a result of a May 31 explosion at the Cambria, Wisconsin, U.S., plant of Didion Milling Co. Angel Reyes, a 46-year-old pack operator, died at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, U.S., on June 6, succumbing to injuries he suffered during the explosion.

Four people are dead after a murder-suicide at a Pennsylvania supermarket.

Eaton Township, PA — Pa. state police said Randy Stair, 24, shot three co-workers and himself in a Weis Market early Thursday morning, while the Eaton Township store was closed. Stair had started his overnight shift at the job when the store closed at 11 p.m. and reportedly took two pistol-grip shotguns from a duffel bag and began shooting just before 1 a.m. According to NBC, Stair, of Dallas, Pa., killed two men and a woman before shooting himself in the head. The victims were identified as Terry Sterling, 63, of South Montrose; Victoria Brong, 25, of Factoryville; and Brian Hayes, 47, of Springville.

Authorities Identify Grand Forks Worker Killed on the Job

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. — Authorities identify the construction worker killed on the job in East Grand Forks.The police department says 58-year-old Richard Bruce of Grand Forks died from his injuries at Altru Hospital. Bruce fell while on the job Monday. He was working on a new home at 2415 Troon Circle Northwest. Police say he worked for Affinity Builders in Grand Forks.

Roofer Dies Falling Through Skylight

Fife, WA — Jeffry Eylander was cleaning roof top at APEX Cold Storage and fell through a skylight approximately 30 feet. (Source: Washington Dept of Labor and Industries)

Worker killed after falling more than 10 stories at Manhattan construction site

New York, NY — A construction worker plummeted more than 10 stories to his death after a wooden platform gave way underneath him by the Hudson Yards Monday night. Roger Vail, 62, of Montgomery, N.Y., was working at 400 W. 33rd St. — which is part of the massive Manhattan West development project by Brookfield Properties — doing a survey on the 16th floor at about 6:40 p.m., when he fell through a platform, police sources said. He dropped to a 6th floor landing, and medics pronounced him dead at the scene, cops said. The victim, a surveyor hired by 50 States Engineering — a firm hired by the general contractor, Tishman Construction, officials told the Daily News. He was working to raise a “cocooning system” designed to cover areas of active high-rise construction and prevent falls, officials said.

Tyler man identified in fatal accident at Target Distribution Center

Lindale, TX — Lindale Police have released the name of the person killed at the Target Distribution Center near Lindale on Tuesday. Justin Landreau, 31, of Tyler was killed in the workplace accident at Target Distribution Center, Lindale Police Criminal Investigation Division Sergeant Mike Lazarine said. The Lindale Police Department responded to a call at the facility. “There was a fatality, and I can tell you it was a freak accident involving a lift. It was a subcontractor,” Lindale Police Chief Daniel Somes said Tuesday, when he confirmed the death.

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Middle Township Police are investigating an accident that killed a Pleasantville resident. Police say that sanitation worker Christopher Rice, 44, of Pleasantville died in an accident involving trash truck he was on. At 8:30 a.m., police were called to the report of an accident at Highs Beach Road in the Dias Creek area of Middle Township. Officials say that a trash truck was heading east on Highs Beach Road when the driver ran off of the road and side-swiped a utility pole. Rice, who was on the side step on the back of the trash truck, also hit the utility pole. Rice was transported to Cape Regional Medical Center where he later died.

Semi trailer falls on top of maintenance worker, dies from injuries

EFFINGHAM, Ill. – Effingham police are investigating a deadly workplace accident. Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. first responders were called after a semi trailer fell onto a man at Pinnacle foods on South Banker Street. Authorities say 59-year-old Lowell Ingram was preforming routine maintenance on the semi when it fell on top of him. Ingram was rushed to St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital where he died later in the afternoon.

Agriculture officer killed in Taylor County crash

TAYLOR COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol has identified the victim in a fiery fatal car crash on U.S. Highway 19 from Monday. FHP has identified the victim as 25 year-old Joshua Montaad of Safety Harbor. Montaad was pronounced dead at the scene. WCTV has also learned that Montaad was a law enforcement officer with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement. Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued the following statement on the news of Montaad’s passing: “Officer Joshua Albert Sanchez Montaad tragically lost his life in a fatal crash while in the line of duty. It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of such a dedicated and vibrant man who chose to make selflessly serving others his life’s work.

Following Emergency Call Lake Station lieutenant dies at home after response

Lake Station, IN — The U.S. Fire Administration has announced the official on-duty death of Lieutenant David Jatczsk, 57, of the Lake Station Volunteer Fire Department on June 1, 2017. Several hours after responding with Lake Station Volunteer Fire Department to an emergency response call, Lieutenant David Jatczsk died at his residence from a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be reported.

SC OSHA investigates after Darlington man killed in forklift accident

DARLINGTON, SC – Officials say an employee has died following an accident involving a forklift at Darlington Shredding. Darlington Shredding is a scrap metal dealer located on Steel Mill Road in Darlington. Lt. Robert Kilgo with the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office says a “workplace accident” took place around 1 a.m. Tuesday morning. The death is not suspicious in nature, Lt. Kilgo says. Todd Hardee, the Darlington County coroner said Tommy Perkins, 51, of Darlington was killed.

Horseshoe Bay mourns employee killed in work-related incident

HORSESHOE BAY, TX — Co-workers and staff associated with Horseshoe Bay city employee Steve Hawley, who died recently, are undergoing grief counseling to help deal with the loss, officials say. “We helped the family, and now we’re helping the employees,” Horseshoe Bay City Manager Stan Farmer said. On Memorial Day, May 29, Hawley was on a crew repairing part of the water plant when the incident occurred. “It was routine maintenance. He was part of a dive team diving at a water intake in Lake LBJ,” Farmer said. “He came up, was in distress, and went back down.” Emergency personnel attempted to resuscitate Hawley; however, he was eventually transported to an Austin hospital.

Road Atlanta worker killed during motorcycle race

Braselton, GA — A worker was killed during a weekend motorcycle race at the Road Atlanta track in Braselton in South Hall. Road Atlanta spokeswoman Kelsi Nilsson confirmed the incident, calling Hazel Harrell’s death “a terrible tragedy,” but didn’t give further details. Speed Sport, a motorsport news website, cited multiple sources saying Harrell, 60, was struck by a motorcycle that was competing as part of Saturday afternoon’s WERA Cycle Jam. She died as a result of her injuries. “She was a fixture at Road Atlanta and has been volunteering there for 15 years,” Speed Sport states. “She could often be found at turn 7 on event weekends.”

Fired worker killed 5, shot self as siren neared

Orlando, FL — A man who was fired from a Florida awning factory in April returned Monday with a semi-automatic pistol and methodically killed five people, then took his own life at the sound of an approaching siren, authorities said. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings identified the shooter as John Robert Neumann Jr., a 45-year-old Army veteran who lived alone and did not appear to belong to any type of subversive or terrorist organization. The shooting began after Neumann slipped through a rear door into the cavernous Fiamma Inc. factory, an area larger than two football fields where awnings are stitched together for recreational vehicles. He paused at least once to reload. The dead were identified as Robert Snyder, 69; Brenda Montanez-Crespo, 44; Kevin Clark, 53; Jeffrey Roberts, 57; and Kevin Lawson, 46.

Worker Killed When Machine Falls On Him

Seattle, WA — Acheni Selifis received critical injuries to his head and chest on 5/30/2017 when a heavy metal injection mold, used for manufacturing plastic parts, fell off a shelf onto him as he was attempting to move it. The worker passed away from his injuries on 6/2/2017 at 2:35pm. (Source: Washington Dept of Labor and Industries)